Storm On The Island Flashcards
Structure & form
-Heaney’s structure and rhythm reflect the unpredictable nature of the storm. The poem is written in blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter), but the rhythm is disrupted by enjambment (lines running into each other) and caesura (pauses in the middle of lines). This mirrors how the storm is uncontrollable.
-This is seen in “You might think that the sea is company, / Exploding comfortably down on the cliffs.” The enjambment between these lines causes an unexpected shift in tone, just as the storm suddenly turns violent. Similarly, the oxymoron “exploding comfortably” highlights the unpredictable power of nature, which can seem safe but is actually destructive. Later, “We are bombarded by the empty air.” uses caesura (the pause after “bombarded”) to emphasize how nature attacks unexpectedly. By breaking the poem’s structure, Heaney immerses the reader in the storm’s uncontrollable power, reinforcing the idea that humans can never truly dominate nature.
“spits like a cat tame cat turned savage” - unpredictability and uncontrollable power of nature.
Heaney challenges the mistaken belief that humans have tamed nature, using zoomorphism and simile to show that nature’s power is uncontrollable. The phrase “spits like a tame cat turned savage” compares the storm to a domestic cat suddenly becoming wild, reflecting the islanders’ false sense of security. The verb “spits” gives nature an animalistic, aggressive quality, reinforcing the idea that it is alive and unpredictable.
The oxymoron “tame cat turned savage” further emphasizes the contrast between nature’s calm and violent states. The word “tame” suggests safety and familiarity, while “savage” completely contradicts this, showing how nature can switch from harmless to destructive without warning. This reflects the illusion of human control—the islanders believe they have mastered nature, yet the storm reminds them they were never in charge.
Furthermore, the caesura in this line forces a pause, mirroring the sudden transformation from peace to danger. This structural disruption reflects the storm’s ability to destabilize both the landscape and the people’s sense of security. Heaney ultimately suggests that nature was never truly “owned” by humans; it has always been the dominant force.
“Space is a Salvo” – War Imagery & Human Vulnerability
Heaney uses military imagery and metaphor to depict the storm as a violent, attacking force. The phrase “space is a salvo” transforms the empty air into a weapon, as “salvo” refers to a series of gunfire or missile attacks. This suggests that even something as intangible as air can be deadly, reinforcing the powerlessness of humans against nature.
By describing empty space as an attack, Heaney reverses expectations—instead of a physical, visible enemy, the storm is an invisible but overwhelming force. This reflects the idea that fear itself can be just as powerful as actual destruction. The sibilance (“s” sounds in “space” and “salvo”) mimics the hissing of wind or gunfire, intensifying the sense of aggression.
Ultimately, Heaney suggests that humans are at war with nature, but it is a battle they cannot win—even the air itself turns against them.
“We Are Bombarded by the Empty Air” – Power & Chaos
We Are Bombarded by the Empty Air” – Power & Chaos
The phrase “We are bombarded by the empty air.” uses violent war imagery & semantic field of war to make the storm feel like a direct attack. The verb “bombarded” suggests heavy artillery fire, as though nature is actively assaulting the islanders. This links to the theme of human vulnerability, as they have no defence against the storm’s power.
The phrase “empty air” is paradoxical—how can something invisible and weightless be so dangerous? This reinforces the idea that nature’s most powerful forces—wind, air, storms—are beyond human understanding or control. The caesura after “bombarded” creates a sudden pause, mirroring the unpredictable nature of the storm’s attacks.
By combining military metaphors with natural forces, Heaney blurs the line between war and weather, showing how both can be uncontrollable, destructive, and terrifying.
Tone & emotion
masterfully manipulates tone and emotion to reinforce the poem’s central theme of human powerlessness against nature. The tone shifts from confidence to fear, mirroring the growing intensity of the storm and the realization that humans are ultimately at nature’s mercy.
At the start, Heaney establishes a false sense of security with a calm and pragmatic tone as the storm intensifies, the tone becomes violent and chaotic, mimicking the storm’s destruction. By the end, Heaney deepens the emotional impact with an unsettling realization that humans will forever be inferior than nature
context
1️⃣ Seamus Heaney’s Irish Heritage & The Troubles
Heaney was from Northern Ireland, where political conflict (The Troubles) shaped daily life.
The storm can symbolize the unpredictability of war and violence—especially how it is both invisible and inescapable.
The islanders’ false sense of security mirrors how people in conflict zones believe they are safe, but violence can strike at any moment.
2️⃣ Power of Nature vs. Human Insignificance
Heaney often wrote about nature’s dominance over humans.
The storm destroys human confidence, proving that no matter how much we prepare, we remain powerless against nature’s forces.
This challenges the human belief that we can tame and control the world around us.
3️⃣ Fear of the Unknown
The final line “It is a huge nothing that we fear.” suggests that the most terrifying things in life are often unseen or beyond our understanding.
Links to psychological fear—the idea that people fear concepts (death, war, the future) more than physical threats.
